Eagles release 14 players

The first major roster cuts for NFL teams will occur in the coming days, with clubs needing to be down to 75 players by Tuesday afternoon.

The Eagles started the roster reduction process Saturday, announcing the release of 14 players, including second-year linebacker Jake Knott. This leaves Philadelphia with 76 players.

The 23-year-old Knott appeared in 12 games for Philadelphia in 2013, recording eight tackles. However, he will serve a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances to begin this season.

The Eagles also parted ways with rookie kicker Carey Spear, leaving Alex Henery and Cody Parkey as the competitors for the job.

I”m just amazed that it always seems like the same guys cut every year. Emil Igwenagu, Michael Bamiro, BJ Cunningham. These guys are cut every August. What do teams think these guys are going to do? Get better every year without playing football? The only thing that happens is they get older.

It was my hope that Villanueva would at least make the practice squad. His efforts were admirable against the huge odds against him. His back story would have made another Vince Papale iconic figure for the Eagles. I have nothing but admiration for him and his efforts and hope his future is bright in wherever he goes from here.

PS: I heard he had a sack in the 4th Quarter against the Pats. If so that is something for his personal scrapbook. While it does not get him a roster spot it should give him some satisfaction that he was able to compete.

I”m just amazed that it always seems like the same guys cut every year. Emil Igwenagu, Michael Bamiro, BJ Cunningham. These guys are cut every August.

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Ever hear of the term “Camp Body”?? Nobody expects these players to make the team, but they know how the drill goes for every training camp. They don’t need an introduction to anything, nor do they need any orientation to figure out where to go or where to be.

It’s more of a convenience thing that these guys are brought in year-after-year to help make the Eagles’ training camp as efficient as possible. They only have a limited number of days for OTAs and things of that sort.

You’ve got to remember, 480 “camp bodies” are going to be cut in the NFL by this Tuesday. Basically, none of them will make active 53 man rosters, barring small miracles. Another 700+ players will be cut once the rosters are reduced to 53 men. It’s all a numbers game.

It will be interesting to see who makes the final spots at WR. Assuming we keep 6 there should be 2 up for grabs. I’d like to see Momah and Benn make it, as I think they’ve shown the most and have the highest upside, but I have a feeling it will be Smith and Johnson. Smith is the emergency QB and Johnson can return kicks with Huff injured.